Governor's Message

Dear Region Leaders
and Members,

We are entering the
last six months of the 2016-18 biennium. Our Region Biennial Theme, CATCH
THE DREAM, has morphed at least twice: DARE TO DREAM; INVESTING IN
DREAMS. My thought is that TOGETHER, we have continued to embrace the
DREAM concept of helping women and girls at a level higher than even we could
have imagined when we began this journey together! Our taglines represent
our commitment to helping others (and ourselves) continue their (our) quest to
delve in possibilities (goals, aspirations, purpose, desire, ambition).

2017 was challenging
for many. The year tested confidences and many spirits were shaken.
For some, every two steps they took forward resulted in five steps
backwards. A friend once shared: “The me that I see in the
mirror is the me that I encounter . . . If I see a fearful me in the mirror,
then I fear every interaction. If I see and think misery is around every
corner, then misery will greet me at every turn. But if I look in that mirror
and see someone phenomenal, if I see my capabilities, then my day is filled
with the power of me!”I have heard so many people
bid farewell to 2017 because it was a very difficult and demanding year.
Let’s agree that the past is her-story . . . Whether effortless or challenging;
self-confident or self-critical; lighthearted or brokenhearted; gratifying or
melancholy. . . It’s over. The 2017 book of memories has been
written.

Now, we have an entire
new book of blank pages with endless possibilities to record. So . . .
Let’s resolve . . . fresh starts, new chances, more adventures.

With a new year comes
an opportunity to invest in a new attitude and embark on new journeys.
Let’s use our collective power to impact and change our world. Let’s
smile at a stranger, perform random acts of kindness, and minimize our
complaints. Let’s plan to greet more people throughout the day, laugh
loudly and often, and cry more happy tears than those from sadness, frustration
or anger. Let’s call our inner strength into action and remember that a
new year brings hope.

I implore you to
believe in yourself. You deserve the best that life can offer!